Midlife love this Valentines Day

It’s Valentines Day on Sunday.  Again.  That wretched life clock keeps ticking at an alarming rate, don’t you think?

So February 14^th is all about love and romance.  Supposedly.  It’s also about a huge marketing opportunity for card manufacturers, florists, restaurants, hotels and many more besides.  So how much should one spend to make a loved one feel “loved” enough?  And what on?  Call me cynical if you like, but I’m not sure I need some smart marketeer to tell me how to convey the love I have for my husband to him.

All the advertising hype also got me thinking about the use of the word “love”.  Girls say that they love their shoes; they love their clothes, and bags.  They love their work, shopping, cooking, books and on it goes.  Girls love absolutely everything that’s good in their lives.  And they love all the good stuff with huge enthusiasm.

Men, it seems, are not quite so flippant as women about the things they love, but they’re not far behind.  I’ve never heard a man say that he loves his shoes.  I do know men, however, who love golf and will say so.  I know men who openly say that they love their cars.  Maybe all the girly “loving” going on in the world is gradually rubbing off on the male half of the species little by little.

We “love” so many things these days I reckon we should try to find an alternative word or words to adequately describe the most precious feelings we have for our partner, or our children.  I might start saying “I give you my heart” next time I hang up the phone to my husband.  It’s a bit of a mouthful though; and no matter what alternatives I think of, none seem to fit the bill quite so perfectly as simply saying “I love you”.

Which brings me back to the initial question – how much should one spend on a Valentines Day gift to make someone feel “loved”?  Well, since “loving” material possessions has become so prevalent, I’m going to steer away from shop bought gifts altogether.  So I’ll be spending zero on gifts.

My husband will know that I love him when we sit down to a special Valentines Day dinner that we’ve cooked together and share a good bottle of wine, and I’ll know that he loves me when he does all the washing up afterwards.  And that’s good old-fashioned midlife love for you.  Priceless.

Read Full Post »

Midlife grump over disappearance of car

You know there’s no hope when your kids fight over which one of them is going to drive your car.  Next time you look it’s gone from the drive on some jaunt.  And they don’t ask if I’d maybe wanted to use it myself.  They think I don’t actually have anywhere to go.  Need some new rules around here.  Need to buy a wheel clamp too.

Read Full Post »

Driving a convertible car can seriously damage your ears apparently

It seems that cruising with the top down at speeds of 50-70mph (80-112km/h) exposes the ears to sound levels sometimes nearing those made by a pneumatic drill, and long or repeated exposure to this noise of the engine, road, traffic and wind could cause permanent hearing loss.  Researchers say that convertible drivers should consider wearing some form of ear protection, as motorcyclists do. Or they should roll the windows up to help reduce the noise levels.

The whole point of driving a car with the top down is to enjoy the wind in your hair, and be closer to the world you are driving through.  Isn’t it?  Imagine if you were to drive with earplugs inserted – how would you converse with your passengers?  Open top cars have existed ever since vehicles were invented and no rules have been needed for specific ear protection.  I can see the day coming when the powers that be force drivers of convertibles to have their heads trussed up like oven ready chickens.  They will be whizzing along country lanes in aeronautic helmets and goggles.  Looking ridiculous.

Or maybe not.  Think there will be a lot of used convertibles going cheap.

Read Full Post »